Luxe tour agency Scott Dunn buys Singapore's Country Holidays
Country Holidays to be rebranded as Scott Dunn and will become Asia's largest bespoke tour agency
Singapore
INTERNATIONAL luxury tour agency Scott Dunn has acquired Singaporean bespoke travel company Country Holidays to form Asia's largest bespoke tour agency, both companies announced at a joint press conference on Tuesday.
Country Holidays specialises in bespoke travel, which involves crafting unique holidays for each customer. The company especially caters to Asian travellers who seek remote and exotic destinations such as Antarctica and Iran.
The London-based company declined to disclose the sum paid for Country Holidays, but BT understands that 100 per cent of the business was bought out.
In the previous year, Scott Dunn, which also operates offices in the United States and Singapore, posted revenue of about S$200 million, while Country Holidays posted revenue of S$35 million.
This year, with the acquisition of Country Holidays, Scott Dunn expects revenue to increase to S$290 million.
Over 60 per cent of Scott Dunn's revenue comes from returning customers.
The acquisition will also bring in Country Holidays' current customer base of more than 10,000.
Scott Dunn said that they are expecting a combined total of 31,000 customers in 2018.
No cuts in staff strength are expected to take place, said Country Holidays founder Chang Theng Hwee. The homegrown company has close to 60 employees, including those from other offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai and Dubai.
Both existing teams in Singapore will be merged, and Country Holidays will be rebranded as Scott Dunn.
Scott Dunn's overall staff strength will therefore increase to more than 300 employees.
Additionally, Mr Chang will become Scott Dunn's new Asia chief executive, and he will report to Scott Dunn group chief executive Simon Russell.
Existing customers from Country Holidays can expect an expanded portfolio of European destinations as well as a 24-hour hotline for support.
The acquisition of Country Holidays comes after the international brand bought out San Diego-based Aardvark Safaris in 2016.
At the moment, 70 per cent of Scott Dunn's revenue comes from the British market. Mr Russell said that after these acquisitions, he hopes for an even one-third split among the three Asian, US and UK markets in the long run.
He added: "Acquiring an operator as established and reputable as Country Holidays step-changes our access to a market with a huge demand for luxury travel experiences."
